Rocky Airport to go Under
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What has happened to my little drinking mates at the aero club?
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All the talk of reopening as soon as the water clear enough...
Probably a lot of the airport staff of all services and professions have moved away. There will likely be not enough staff until Rockhampton itself dries out and people get their homes sorted out to a liveable degree.
I would suggest most affected ROK residents who are airport workers will be at home as soon as able, cleaning up to enable their families to return. WORK??? FORGET IT.
Probably a lot of the airport staff of all services and professions have moved away. There will likely be not enough staff until Rockhampton itself dries out and people get their homes sorted out to a liveable degree.
I would suggest most affected ROK residents who are airport workers will be at home as soon as able, cleaning up to enable their families to return. WORK??? FORGET IT.
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Oh Deary Me!
had to sign up when i heard about this one!
class D procedural requirements take a bit of understanding. If you bother to ask around perhaps even ring the tower, (MK,RK,SU etc) you will get an idea of why things happen the way they do. They have some of the most restrictive standards to work with. So when your chieftain takes 8 miles to reach 1500ft and other inbound traffic are trying to let down, things get tricky son.I guess its easy to slate the hell out of someone on these threads as you and others have done without worrying about the consequences. Those few days leading up to the floods were the busiest on recent record. Many of the GA specials all departing to the same place at the same time at the same level.....throw some rotary traffic who cant work out their East from the West and all of a sudden the sole controller ,(yes they often work alone in Class D twrs) will be very busy.
Sometimes things dont go to plan...suck it up thats life. There are many other controllers in that tower, dont go and pick an easy target. You didnt mention the one with the gruff voice did you...or the softly spoken gentleman.
Wally,...you have been around the traps long enough to be more mature about this..grow up!!
Before the panel of experts tries to nut this one out: I dont work for ASA. I fly for one of the biggest carriers in the country. I get stuffed around all the time as well. But I'm not immune to stuffing up myself, Have your estimates ever been a tad wrong?? believe me...a minute or so makes quite a difference. If you have ever flown in europe and cross position x at the wrong time...all hell breaks loose and you'll know about it. so really it aint to bad here.
Lose the attitude.....ring up next time if you want to know why you held longer, or decended later....there is always a very good reason.
Peace,
RG
had to sign up when i heard about this one!
class D procedural requirements take a bit of understanding. If you bother to ask around perhaps even ring the tower, (MK,RK,SU etc) you will get an idea of why things happen the way they do. They have some of the most restrictive standards to work with. So when your chieftain takes 8 miles to reach 1500ft and other inbound traffic are trying to let down, things get tricky son.I guess its easy to slate the hell out of someone on these threads as you and others have done without worrying about the consequences. Those few days leading up to the floods were the busiest on recent record. Many of the GA specials all departing to the same place at the same time at the same level.....throw some rotary traffic who cant work out their East from the West and all of a sudden the sole controller ,(yes they often work alone in Class D twrs) will be very busy.
Sometimes things dont go to plan...suck it up thats life. There are many other controllers in that tower, dont go and pick an easy target. You didnt mention the one with the gruff voice did you...or the softly spoken gentleman.
Wally,...you have been around the traps long enough to be more mature about this..grow up!!
Before the panel of experts tries to nut this one out: I dont work for ASA. I fly for one of the biggest carriers in the country. I get stuffed around all the time as well. But I'm not immune to stuffing up myself, Have your estimates ever been a tad wrong?? believe me...a minute or so makes quite a difference. If you have ever flown in europe and cross position x at the wrong time...all hell breaks loose and you'll know about it. so really it aint to bad here.
Lose the attitude.....ring up next time if you want to know why you held longer, or decended later....there is always a very good reason.
Peace,
RG
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The word is from the 24th they do expect to be able open the main rwy - 15/33 however at a reduced length of approx 1800m. Remaining runway should be available by the 28th. Obviously this will get the QLink Dash 8's in no problem but how would virgins E-190 go with this?
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190 cleared to operate into PMQ and it's runway is less than 1800m, Maroochy is around that and 737s, A320s and the 190 operate out of there so ROK shouldn't be a problem.
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Capt Claret and Worrals - There won't be subsidence in the runway sub-base... the preparatory work and the substantial compaction levels when the runway was put down, would ensure that no subsidence would have taken place.
Remember, a runway has to take serious impact at speed when a heavy touches down a little too heavily... so runway compaction is at substantial compaction levels, to serious depths (around 600-900mm).
After a flood event like this, the serious problem, is separation of the bond between the runway base material, and the seal. You've seen it on the damaged roads on the news shots.
The bitumen lifts away from the road-base in a sheet, or in big bubbles.
This means the damaged sections have to be cut out... the base re-worked with new road-base material, the base re-compacted, and new seal (bitumen or hot-mix) laid down.
A close visual inspection generally reveals damage. Unfortunately, hot-mix or bitumen will only resist rainwater to a modest depth, and water that drains off... that doesn't hang around.
When a sealed surface is immersed in a depth of water that just lays there, and doesn't drain, the water finds its way into the area under the seal (mostly via small cracks) and commences to separate the bond between the seal and the base.
A deep layer of hot mix (50mm) is more impervious to water ingress, than a few coats of bitumen seal.
This breakdown of the seal bond only becomes evident after the surface is trafficked (if not picked up by visual inspection), and the bitumen or hot mix proceeds to break up, under the impact of rolling wheels.
Remember, a runway has to take serious impact at speed when a heavy touches down a little too heavily... so runway compaction is at substantial compaction levels, to serious depths (around 600-900mm).
After a flood event like this, the serious problem, is separation of the bond between the runway base material, and the seal. You've seen it on the damaged roads on the news shots.
The bitumen lifts away from the road-base in a sheet, or in big bubbles.
This means the damaged sections have to be cut out... the base re-worked with new road-base material, the base re-compacted, and new seal (bitumen or hot-mix) laid down.
A close visual inspection generally reveals damage. Unfortunately, hot-mix or bitumen will only resist rainwater to a modest depth, and water that drains off... that doesn't hang around.
When a sealed surface is immersed in a depth of water that just lays there, and doesn't drain, the water finds its way into the area under the seal (mostly via small cracks) and commences to separate the bond between the seal and the base.
A deep layer of hot mix (50mm) is more impervious to water ingress, than a few coats of bitumen seal.
This breakdown of the seal bond only becomes evident after the surface is trafficked (if not picked up by visual inspection), and the bitumen or hot mix proceeds to break up, under the impact of rolling wheels.
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The last time (1991) if I recall, they spiked the bubbles in the asphalt with a crowbar, and then rolled the hell out of it with heavy multi-tyred rollers. Seemed to work ok.
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From their website:
General recovery information for Rockhampton Airport is as follows:
FRIDAY 14 JANUARY 2011
The main runway (RWY 15/33) is now clear of water and visual inspections are continuing. Water from the secondary runway (RWY 04/22) is almost gone and cleaning works have also commended. Gas pockets have been located in various locations on the main runway and have been drilled to release the pressure under the asphalt. So far this work has been successful.
Power to the General Aviation Area was restored today.
Further information will be available following the detailed inspections conducted over the weekend.
THURSDAY 13 JANUARY 11
There is now water on approx 10% of the main runway. Some gas 'bubbles' have formed under the asphalt and we are using a small diameter drill to remove the pressure in the affected areas. When the runway is completely dry, a full assessment of the runway pavements will be conducted. This will commence on the weekend.
Much of the secondary runway is still underwater. Sweeping and cleaning of the runways, taxiways and apron areas is continuing and will take several days to complete.
WEDNESDAY 12 JANUARY 11
The water is receding faster than anticipated and a much larger section of the main runway (RWY 15/33) is now exposed.
Taxiway Juliet is still partially underwater and the secondary runway is still submerged. Cleanup of the main runway is being carried out by the Rural Fire Brigade support trucks and several mobile rotary brooms. Power has been restored to the terminal and services are now being reinstated.
TUESDAY 11 JAN 11
The water level on the main runway (RWY 15/33) has reduced by a small amount. Sweeping and visual inspection of the dry section of this runway has now commenced. Several issues have been identified with the available runway and have been marked for engineering assessment.
With the exception of the intersection of the two runways, the secondary runway (RWY 04/22) is still completely underwater.
General recovery information for Rockhampton Airport is as follows:
FRIDAY 14 JANUARY 2011
The main runway (RWY 15/33) is now clear of water and visual inspections are continuing. Water from the secondary runway (RWY 04/22) is almost gone and cleaning works have also commended. Gas pockets have been located in various locations on the main runway and have been drilled to release the pressure under the asphalt. So far this work has been successful.
Power to the General Aviation Area was restored today.
Further information will be available following the detailed inspections conducted over the weekend.
THURSDAY 13 JANUARY 11
There is now water on approx 10% of the main runway. Some gas 'bubbles' have formed under the asphalt and we are using a small diameter drill to remove the pressure in the affected areas. When the runway is completely dry, a full assessment of the runway pavements will be conducted. This will commence on the weekend.
Much of the secondary runway is still underwater. Sweeping and cleaning of the runways, taxiways and apron areas is continuing and will take several days to complete.
WEDNESDAY 12 JANUARY 11
The water is receding faster than anticipated and a much larger section of the main runway (RWY 15/33) is now exposed.
Taxiway Juliet is still partially underwater and the secondary runway is still submerged. Cleanup of the main runway is being carried out by the Rural Fire Brigade support trucks and several mobile rotary brooms. Power has been restored to the terminal and services are now being reinstated.
TUESDAY 11 JAN 11
The water level on the main runway (RWY 15/33) has reduced by a small amount. Sweeping and visual inspection of the dry section of this runway has now commenced. Several issues have been identified with the available runway and have been marked for engineering assessment.
With the exception of the intersection of the two runways, the secondary runway (RWY 04/22) is still completely underwater.
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Is that full ops or daylight only?
As an aside comment, with Rocky closed you can imagine the slight increase in traffic at Gladstone. From what I saw and from what I've heard things went pretty well operating as a CTAF with co operation and respect from all Operators. These included increased RPT, sqillions of flingwings,Policewing Caravans and Citation who were pretty regular,Charters, transiting a/c refuels,RFDS and not forgetting the obligatory Pollies.
Everyone followed the communication criteria and privates held out for priority traffic, common courtesy and basic airmanship with a helpful team of Groundstaff.
I only one came across a couple. One being a 182 calling and doing a 10 mile final with active circuit traffic and an engine runup around close parked A/c and directly at a hangar, but hea every village has one.
If that's all that happened we're doing pretty well as a CTAF
I'd like to thank all those involved in the Flood Operation as their help is appreciated by so many.
Frothy
As an aside comment, with Rocky closed you can imagine the slight increase in traffic at Gladstone. From what I saw and from what I've heard things went pretty well operating as a CTAF with co operation and respect from all Operators. These included increased RPT, sqillions of flingwings,Policewing Caravans and Citation who were pretty regular,Charters, transiting a/c refuels,RFDS and not forgetting the obligatory Pollies.
Everyone followed the communication criteria and privates held out for priority traffic, common courtesy and basic airmanship with a helpful team of Groundstaff.
I only one came across a couple. One being a 182 calling and doing a 10 mile final with active circuit traffic and an engine runup around close parked A/c and directly at a hangar, but hea every village has one.
If that's all that happened we're doing pretty well as a CTAF
I'd like to thank all those involved in the Flood Operation as their help is appreciated by so many.
Frothy
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I was just going by this news item......................
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THREE weeks after floodwaters drowned its runway, Rockhampton's airport will reopen.
The last major flight took off on New Year's Day just days before the Fitzroy River was due to peak.
Day time flights will resume at Rockhampton on Monday 8am (AEST) and night flights on Wednesday.
Rockhampton Airport says on its website that all major runway repairs and critical perimeter fencing work have now been completed.
Linemarking of the runways and taxiways will be complete on Sunday, it said.
"Due to extensive flood damage, the secondary runway will remain closed for an extended period," the airport said.
QantasLink spokesman Narendra Kumar said the airline would resume services linking Rockhampton to Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville.
"Flights will initially be limited to daytime hours due to runway limitations," he said in a statement.
"This will mean a reduced schedule over two days. However we will operate our larger and faster 74-seat Q400 aircraft on all sectors to provide as many seats as possible."
-------------------------------------------------------------
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THREE weeks after floodwaters drowned its runway, Rockhampton's airport will reopen.
The last major flight took off on New Year's Day just days before the Fitzroy River was due to peak.
Day time flights will resume at Rockhampton on Monday 8am (AEST) and night flights on Wednesday.
Rockhampton Airport says on its website that all major runway repairs and critical perimeter fencing work have now been completed.
Linemarking of the runways and taxiways will be complete on Sunday, it said.
"Due to extensive flood damage, the secondary runway will remain closed for an extended period," the airport said.
QantasLink spokesman Narendra Kumar said the airline would resume services linking Rockhampton to Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville.
"Flights will initially be limited to daytime hours due to runway limitations," he said in a statement.
"This will mean a reduced schedule over two days. However we will operate our larger and faster 74-seat Q400 aircraft on all sectors to provide as many seats as possible."
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Thanks Airsupport
Hope things go well with the Runway. A good thing the Gladstone Council spent the $65m extending and rebuilding the runway here. The old one would not have survived that rain and the whole Region would have been without an Airport
This is the Runway both the State and Federal Govts refused to contribute to but were OK to use it for their photo shoots so much for Infrastructure investment
Frothy
Hope things go well with the Runway. A good thing the Gladstone Council spent the $65m extending and rebuilding the runway here. The old one would not have survived that rain and the whole Region would have been without an Airport
This is the Runway both the State and Federal Govts refused to contribute to but were OK to use it for their photo shoots so much for Infrastructure investment
Frothy
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send them a big bill............
Landing fees: State and fed Govt $50,000 per movement.
Landing fees: State and fed Govt $50,000 per movement.
Last edited by Jabawocky; 22nd Jan 2011 at 20:58. Reason: iPhone spelling!!!!
The Gladstone refuellers have been doing a stirling job during the last 3 weeks as well, considering the amount of extra traffic that have required fuel, even coming out in the middle of the night for us on a number of occasions, .
morno
.morno
